Some timid children curl up in a ball when they sleep.
In the natural world, frogs with natural enemies squat in corners when they sleep.
Whether it's children curled up together or frogs squatting in corners, both are driven by a need for safety.
Similarly.
Apart from humans, and top predators like tigers and lions, other small animals also have their own natural enemies.
The greatest natural enemies of mice are cats, owls, and snakes.
And the natural enemies of frogs are snakes or owls!
Natural enemies are called so because even if their own size far exceeds that of their natural enemies, they instinctively fear them.
It is normal for frogs to fear snakes and owls.
It is also a normal reaction for Jiao Yin, who was squatting like a frog in the corner, to wake up from a deep sleep at the faint sound of an owl.
"Damn owls, no matter how many we kill, they're never all gone."
As Jiao Yin grumbled softly, the owl's hooting sounded again.
It was much closer this time.
The owl had flown much closer to Flowing Water Pavilion, likely having spotted prey.
The doors and windows were tightly shut.
Jiao Yin was a hundred percent sure that if that damn owl dared to fly in, she could kill it in a second!
But she still felt an indescribable fear.
She instinctively turned around and squatted with her back against the wall, her head facing outwards.
This way, if the owl broke through the window, she could immediately attack!
Even though it was impossible, her instincts still made her adopt the defensive posture of a frog.
Hoo hoo!
In Jiao Yin's dazed state, the owl's hooting sounded for the third time.
It was very far away.
It seemed that this owl, which came out at night to hunt, had not found its desired prey near Flowing Water Pavilion and had to leave in disappointment.
"I wonder when the laboratory will develop technology that makes us unafraid of owls or snakes."
Drowsily, Jiao Yin turned again, adjusted her squatting position, rested her forehead against the corner of the wall, and let her slow thoughts drift.
The seemingly absurd analysis that Li Qianfan had given Dai Paipai was actually quite accurate.
The higher the fusion degree with virus 209, the stronger one's martial arts would become after receiving medication from a certain laboratory.
Similarly, the greater the similarity to a frog!
The index of instinctive fear of snakes and owls would also increase!!
"Is 209 really from a higher dimension?"
"Could it be that in that unimaginable higher dimension, the dominant life forms are frogs?"
"Otherwise, why would we have become like this."
"But why didn't the original hosts of 209, Li Wujiang and Li Qianfan, hop like us?"
"What secret does that little guy hide?"
As Jiao Yin thought this, her thoughts slowed down.
Finally, they gradually stopped, and she fell back asleep.
Daybreak arrived.
Li Qianfan drove his beloved Mini Cooper and first took Su Yu, who had gotten drunk the night before and was still a bit tipsy this morning, to Qianfan Hospital.
"Grandmother is hosting our parents, Hong Ti, and Dai Paipai tonight. You are not allowed to wander around, or we won't be able to find you."
Before getting out of the car, Su Ziyu reminded Li Qianfan again not to wander around tonight.
Wander around?
What a thing to say!
It was practically an insult to a man's pride.
Li Qianfan pouted, blew a flirtatious whistle, reminded Sister Su to give him a kiss, and then, with satisfaction, started the car.
Bai Ziyan called.
The storm stirred up by certain people online had clearly intensified.
The accusations were still veiled, painting Li Qianfan as a coward!
Li Qianfan just smiled and let it pass.
Bai Ziyan also asked when he would visit her home.
Because Miss Jiao truly longed to apologize to Young Master Li as soon as possible!
Just wait.
Young Master Li was not someone like Du Yingjun, whom Miss Jiao could summon and dismiss at will.
Before the results of the second negotiation between Zhao Tingshan and the Rhode family were announced, Li Qianfan would not act rashly.
Anyway—
Li Qianfan already knew that his scumbag father had brought Xingxing and the others home.
He had even seen Gao Lingwang and the others in the Blackwater Forest (this information was highly classified, even Zhao Tingshan didn't know. Otherwise, Li Xiao would have broken the rules. But he could still complain to his useless son).
As long as Old Gao and the Kings were not in immediate danger, Li Qianfan was even less anxious to restart the White Belly Bird Project.
After being away for half a month on a business trip.
He had just returned to Qingyun, and he ought to spend a few days in peace with Boss Paipai and others.
"I just don't know what important news Grandmother will announce tonight. She won't say, making it all so mysterious."
As Li Qianfan thought this, his car had already driven into Ziyu Fashion.
But he paused for a moment and quickly hit the brakes.
He wondered if he had come to the wrong place.
Otherwise—
How could the company have changed so much in just over half a month?
Indeed.
Before he left, the wall between Paipai Fashion and Ziyu Fashion had been demolished, and a four-story office building with a steel frame structure had begun construction.
But the speed of change was simply too fast!
The brand-new four-story office building was already in use.
Li Qianfan's original two-story office building, Paipai Fashion's original three-story office building, and even the two-story dormitory building that witnessed "Chongchong's First Cry" had all "disappeared into thin air," leaving an incredibly open view.
Paipai Fashion's workshop was also undergoing passionate renovation.
A guy wearing a hard hat, looking quite presentable, was barking orders at some landscaping workers as they planted flowers and trees in designated areas.
Crucially, the number of employees in the company had also visibly increased.
"Master!"
Chen Dong, who was supervising the tree planting, turned his head and saw the blue Mini. His eyes lit up.
With a face full of joy, he scurried over, "Master, you're finally back! I missed you so much. Every day I saw Mistress Paipai looking lost, I felt sorry for you."
What?
You feel sorry for Mistress Paipai's dejected look?
Where's the knife?
It doesn't have to be forty meters long, four centimeters will do!
Li Qianfan was still absolutely confident that he could send Chen Dong to prison for life.
With a bang.
Li Qianfan got out of the car, kicked Chen Dong a few meters away.
Chen Dong immediately grinned, shamelessly squeezed back, and quickly offered his master a cigarette and a light.
With the expansion of Ziyu Fashion (especially the explosive popularity of the Dream series), the company's land area had increased by three-fifths, and the number of employees had finally surpassed fifteen hundred.
Chen Dong, the former security captain, was the first disciple of Li Qianfan and was highly regarded by Old Su, who specifically promoted him to the position of Deputy General Manager of Security.
He was not only responsible for the company's security but also took charge of the factory's landscaping and sanitation.
Now, Chen Dong managed over thirty people (security and cleaning).
Chen Dong finally understood the benefits of being an official—
It was much better than fighting fiercely with others in a ring!
Especially since he always remembered that he was Li Qianfan's first disciple, and no matter what job he did, he could never disgrace his master or betray the new life bestowed upon him by his master, striving to achieve perfection.
Chen Dong's diligence and hard work were naturally noticed by Old Su, and promoting him to deputy general manager was only natural.
"Master, I saw some idiots online making sarcastic remarks about you again."
Mentioning this, Chen Dong's face was filled with indignation.
"If you know those people are idiots, why do you still care?"
Li Qianfan threw the car key to Chen Dong, signaling him to park the car, and then walked towards the office building. "The more you care, the more it proves that you are one of those idiots."
What Master said makes so much sense.
Looking at Li Qianfan's retreating back, Chen Dong's face was filled with contemplation.
Li Qianfan didn't have high expectations for this foolish disciple (being able to charge into battle).
Li Qianfan only hoped that Chen Dong could work conscientiously here and live a safe and peaceful life with his future wife.
Hey.
This girl walking towards him—
As Li Qianfan reached the front of the office building, he saw a beautiful young woman in a black skirt and black high heels, carrying several folders, walking out of the lobby quickly. His eyes lit up.
But immediately, he averted his gaze.
Wasn't this beautiful young woman his disciple's future wife, An Ran?
"Master, you're back?"
An Ran, with a vibrant demeanor and radiating youthful energy, was first stunned upon seeing Li Qianfan, and then her eyes quickly turned red.
She hurried over, bowed deeply to him, and then, as she raised her head, tears began to fall, "Master, are you alright?"
After the jewelry store incident—
Li Qianfan's importance in An Ran's heart was definitely heavier than a mountain, even surpassing her father's!
After all, at her most desperate moment, her father could only scold her for not being modest (and as it turned out, An Ran was wrongly accused).
Even.
An Ran's father threatened to disown her.
But Li Qianfan cleared her name, restored her innocence, and gave her a new lease on life.
He even obtained ten million yuan in mental compensation from Shen Guo for her.
Who wouldn't treat Li Qianfan this way (except for the ungrateful)?
During Li Qianfan's absence, An Ran always felt a sense of insecurity.
This was the fundamental reason why, upon seeing Li Qianfan, she suddenly felt an overwhelming urge like seeing a loved one and couldn't help but cry.
"Why, you're crying for no reason?"
Truly sensing her feelings, Li Qianfan smiled, raised his hand, and stroked her head, "Don't be like this. Keep up the good work. I hope you will mature quickly and help me shoulder more responsibilities."
"Don't worry, Master, I won't disappoint you."
An Ran quickly wiped away her tears and smiled sheepishly.
"Go back to work, I'm going to see Uncle, and President Su."
Li Qianfan promptly changed "brother-in-law" to President Su.
"President Su is in a meeting on the second floor conference room. I'm going to the workshop to deliver documents for him."
Since Secretary Shen (Shen Yun) had been on extended leave for a long time, Old Su, who particularly liked beautiful female secretaries, had decisively promoted An Ran to "President Su's" secretary.
"I knew Old Su wasn't very capable, but he had a lot of airs, loved holding meetings, and liked to show off his imperial status."
Li Qianfan sneered and quickly ascended the steps.
"Why do I feel like Master has become much more mature?"
An Ran stood in place, watching Li Qianfan's retreating figure, her gaze filled with confusion.
He arrived on the second floor and saw another beautiful woman in a skirt and high heels walking quickly towards the stairwell.
"Whoa, when did so many beauties join the company?"
Li Qianfan couldn't help but exclaim as he looked at the approaching beauty, "What's more, she looks very familiar."
More than familiar—
Isn't this Gao Lingwang's woman, the beautiful Wei Wan Wei!?
—
These five chapters are all over three thousand words.
Wishing everyone a pleasant evening!